Cinematic Heritage: Capturing the Soul of Ancient Lycian Civilizations in 4KIntroduction: Bridging Ancient History and Cinematic Storytelling
- Vidyograf

- Aug 25, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
At Vidyograf, our producer Fatih Ugur's expertise extends beyond compliance-driven mandates into the realm of high-end cinematic heritage documentation. This passion project—a visual expedition through the ancient Lycian cities of Türkiye—demonstrates our commitment to crafting compelling, narrative-driven content for museums, cultural institutions, and historical foundations.

The rugged landscapes of Türkiye cradle the vestiges of civilizations long past. Through our lens, we aim not just to document the stones, but to capture the emotional and cultural resonance of these forgotten places.

The Director’s Approach: Technical Precision Meets Narrative Depth
For this personal project, our producer Fatih Ugur approached the ancient cities of Termessos, Aphrodisias, Olimpos, Phaselis, and Rhodiapolis as cinematic sets. The core challenge was translating the sheer scale and profound silence of these sites into a compelling visual narrative that respects their legacy.
Key elements defining this cinematic approach:
Aerial Grandeur: Utilizing professional drones (DJI Mavic Air, Phantom 3 Pro) to capture the scale of sites like the majestic theatre at Termessos and the stunning setting of Phaselis.
Atmospheric Long Exposure: Employing Long Exposure Night Shots at locations like the Rhodiapolis tomband the impressive gate at Olimpos Ancient City to convey drama, time, and scale—a highly technical skill demanding precision and patience.
Narrative Anchor: Integrating a recorded Voice-Over—Fatih Ugur’s reading of an ancient Lycian poem—to create an intimate, seamless connection between the past and the present, underpinned by dramatic music and sound design.

The Power of Connection: Our Commitment to Heritage
The Lycian poem, "Don't be sad if you can't find me, you will find my stuff...", served as the philosophical core of the documentary, guiding the editing and sequencing. This approach ensures the final video is not just a collection of beautiful shots but a tribute that conveys the intangible essence of the history it seeks to preserve.
Watch the Cinematic Tribute: The Echoes of Ancient Anatolia This video is a testament to the power of cinematic storytelling in heritage documentation. It seamlessly blends high-angle drone shots of sites like Termessos with dramatic long-exposure night footage of tombs and gates, anchored by a poetic voice-over delivered by producer Fatih Ugur.
The Travel Kit and Equipment:
Cameras: Sony a7iii
Lenses: Samyang 2.8/14mm (Wide Angle), Sony Kit Lens
Stabilization: Dji Ronin S Gimbal
Drones: Dji Mavic Air, Phantom 3 Pro
Vidyograf delivers heritage documentation that captivates a global audience, making the echoes of ancient history accessible and emotionally resonant.

